Frank Lloyd Wright once referred to Turtle Creek as one of the most beautiful boulevards in the country. The area, just north of Uptown and minutes from Love Field, was named for the small tributary creek of the Trinity River. It’s believed Texas Rangers camped here when they were fleeing an attack in 1837, and referred to the water as the “creek with all the turtles.” Originally, grand old homes lined the banks of the creek until 1957, when noted architect Howard Meyer designed the first high-rise apartment building at 3525 Turtle Creek Blvd and started a trend. Modern apartment living came to town as did several notable names (Greer Garson, Jimmy Dean and others). Today many new and established buildings line the boulevard, offering impressive views of the parks and fountains of Turtle Creek, as well as the famous downtown Dallas skyline. The area is home to other landmarks such as the Wright-designed Dallas Theater Center, nestled on the hillside overlooking the creek, in perfect harmony with its natural setting. There’s also the world-famous Mansion on Turtle Creek hotel; Lee Park, which is host to many of the city’s most-significant social and civic events; and the Katy Trail, a model for the rails-to-trails concept of urban recreation. History and preservation are still guiding principles for Turtle Creek’s residents, so while progress is welcomed, neighborhood organizations do monitor new development for aesthetic design, density, height restrictions, and setbacks even as construction cranes dot the skyline.